Afreximbank on February 9 announced the selection of eight African startups for the first edition of its acceleration program, aimed at fostering innovation to support intra-African trade and economic integration.
The eight companies were chosen from a competitive pool of over 1,600 applicants, reflecting the growing entrepreneurial energy across the continent. Selected startups are based in Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Côte d’Ivoire, underscoring the pan-African scope of the initiative.
The program, designed as a three-month intensive mentorship and training course, will provide participants with tailored guidance on business strategy, market expansion, and technological innovation. Startups will also gain access to Afreximbank’s extensive network of financial institutions, trade partners, and investors, offering critical exposure to markets across Africa and beyond.
In addition to mentorship, the selected startups may be considered for equity investment, a move aimed at accelerating their growth and scaling their solutions to serve wider markets. The bank said this support would help the companies address challenges in trade finance, logistics, and digital commerce, sectors identified as key to strengthening Africa’s intra-continental trade flows.
Afreximbank, officially known as the African Export-Import Bank, has increasingly positioned itself as a driver of innovation-led trade development. By nurturing startups, the institution seeks to leverage digital tools, fintech solutions, and supply chain innovations to reduce trade barriers and enhance connectivity among African economies.
The selected startups cover diverse sectors, including financial technology, logistics, digital commerce, and supply chain management, all of which are central to Afreximbank’s mandate of promoting trade finance and regional integration. While the bank did not disclose the names of the eight companies at this stage, officials said that each demonstrated strong scalability potential, innovative solutions, and measurable impact on trade facilitation.
“The African entrepreneurial ecosystem is bursting with ideas that can transform trade and economic growth,” said an Afreximbank spokesperson. “Through this accelerator, we aim to provide practical support, mentorship, and market access, enabling these startups to contribute meaningfully to intra-African trade and integration.”
The accelerator is part of Afreximbank’s broader digital transformation and innovation strategy, which includes leveraging technology to simplify trade finance, improve transparency, and streamline cross-border transactions. By identifying startups that offer innovative solutions in these areas, the bank hopes to bridge gaps in access to finance and logistical services, two persistent bottlenecks in the continent’s trade networks.
Participants in the program will also benefit from networking opportunities with regional and global investors, corporate partners, and policymakers, positioning them to scale their operations and enter new markets. The program is expected to culminate in a demo day, where startups will present their solutions to potential partners and investors.
Afreximbank has previously emphasized that supporting startups is essential to building a sustainable and inclusive African trade ecosystem. By empowering small and medium-sized enterprises and technology-driven companies, the bank aims to strengthen the continent’s trade infrastructure, encourage job creation, and enhance competitiveness in global markets.
The inaugural accelerator represents a significant step in Afreximbank’s commitment to fostering innovation, trade finance solutions, and regional integration, reflecting a broader trend across Africa in which financial institutions are actively engaging with the tech and startup ecosystem to drive economic growth and intra-continental connectivity.
With Africa’s startup ecosystem rapidly expanding and digital trade becoming increasingly important, Afreximbank’s program offers a platform for high-potential companies to scale solutions that can reshape trade flows, reduce costs, and increase access to markets, thereby contributing to the bank’s overarching mission of promoting sustainable and inclusive economic development across the continent.
